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Sirach 25, RSV

25:1 My soul takes pleasure in three things, and they are beautiful in the sight of the Lord and of men; agreement between brothers, friendship between neighbors, and a wife and a husband who live in harmony.

25:2 My soul hates three kinds of men, and I am greatly offended at their life: a beggar who is proud, a rich man who is a liar, and an adulterous old man who lacks good sense.

25:3 You have gathered nothing in your youth; how then can you find anything in your old age?

25:4 What an attractive thing is judgment in gray-haired men, and for the aged to possess good counsel!

25:5 How attractive is wisdom in the aged, and understanding and counsel in honorable men!

25:6 Rich experience is the crown of the aged, and their boast is the fear of the Lord.

25:7 With nine thoughts I have gladdened my heart, and a tenth I shall tell with my tongue: a man rejoicing in his children; a man who lives to see the downfall of his foes;

25:8 happy is he who lives with an intelligent wife, and he who has not made a slip with his tongue, and he who has not served a man inferior to himself;

25:9 happy is he who has gained good sense, and he who speaks to attentive listeners.

25:10 How great is he who has gained wisdom! But there is no one superior to him who fears the Lord.

25:11 The fear of the Lord surpasses everything; to whom shall be likened the one who holds it fast?

25:13 Any wound, but not a wound of the heart! Any wickedness, but not the wickedness of a wife!

25:14 Any attack, but not an attack from those who hate! And any vengeance, but not the vengeance of enemies!

25:15 There is no venom worse than a snake's venom, and no wrath worse than an enemy's wrath.

25:16 I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon than dwell with an evil wife.

25:17 The wickedness of a wife changes her appearance, and darkens her face like that of a bear.

25:18 Her husband takes his meals among the neighbors, and he cannot help sighing bitterly.

25:19 Any iniquity is insignificant compared to a wife's iniquity; may a sinner's lot befall her!

25:20 A sandy ascent for the feet of the aged -- such is a garrulous wife for a quiet husband.

25:21 Do not be ensnared by a woman's beauty, and do not desire a woman for her possessions.

25:22 There is wrath and impudence and great disgrace when a wife supports her husband.

25:23 A dejected mind, a gloomy face, and a wounded heart are caused by an evil wife. Drooping hands and weak knees are caused by the wife who does not make her husband happy.

25:24 From a woman sin had its beginning, and because of her we all die.

25:25 Allow no outlet to water, and no boldness of speech in an evil wife.

25:26 If she does not go as you direct, separate her from yourself.

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